Festivals and Major Events
Myanmar is a Land of Festivals: a festival for every month of the year. Majority of the festivals are cultural and religious. Most are celebrated nation- wide while a few are distinctly regional. The dates of the festivals and special events are determined by the Lunar Calendar.
Festivals
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- Htamane Festival - Ananda Pagoda Festival (Bagan) - Shwesettaw Pagoda Festival (Minbu, Magway) - Mahamuni Pagoda Festival (Mahamuni Pagoda,Mandalay) - Shwe Oo Min Pagoda Festival (Pindaya, Shan State) - Kachin Manao Festival (Myitkyina, Kachin State) - Naga New Year Festival (Chin State)
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- Maw-tin-sun Pagoda Festival (Pathein, Ayeyarwaddy Division) - Indawgyi Pagoda Festival (Kachin State) - Pindaya Cave Pagoda Festival (Shan State) - Chinese New Year - Salone Traditional Festival (Myeik Archipelago)
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- Shwedagon Pagoda Festival (Yangon) - Shwemawdaw Pagoda Festival (Bago) - Shinpyu (Novitialion) Ceremonies
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- Thingyan (Water) Festival - Myanmar New Year Day - Popa Nat or Spirits' Festival (Mount Popa)
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- Kason Fullmon Day (Watering of the Sacred Bo Tree Festival) - Taung-yo Torchlight Procession Festival (Pindaya, Shan State)
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- Nayone Festival of Tipitaka
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- Waso Fullmoon Day or Dhammasetkya Day
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- Taungpyone Nats or Spirits' Festival (Taungpyone, Mandalay) |
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- Phaung Daw Oo Pagoda Festival (Inlay Lake, Shan State) - Performing Arts Competition (Yangon) - Thadingyut Festival of Lights - Kyaukse Elephant Dance Festival (Kyaukse, Mandalay) - Shwezigon Pagoda Festival (Bagan)
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- Tazaungdine Festival of Lights - Kyaik-htiyo Pagoda (Golden Rock) Festival (Kyaik Hto, Mon State) - Hot Air Balloons & Fireworks Festival (Taunggyi, Shan Stale) - Kahtein Thingan (Yellow Robe) Weaving Festival
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- 9000 Lighting of Candles (Koe Htat Gyi Pagoda, Yangon) - Kayin New Year Day - Christmas Day |
Some festivals like Myanmar Traditional Equestrian Festival and Myanmar Traditional Boat Regatta are held in Yangon and Traditional Bullock Cart Festival in Mandalay every 2 or 3 years.
Gazetted Holidays
| January |
4 |
Independence Day |
| February |
12 |
Union Day |
| March |
2 |
Peasants' Day |
| March |
27 |
Armed Forces' Day |
| April |
- |
Thingyan (Water Festival) |
| April |
- |
Myanmar New Year |
| May |
1 |
Workers' Day |
| July |
19 |
Martyrs' Day |
| July |
- |
Dhammasetkya Day (Full Moon Day of Waso) |
| October |
- |
Abhidhamma Day (Full Moon Day of Thadingyut: Thadingyut Festival) |
| November |
- |
Tazaungdine Festival (Full Moon Day of Tazaungmone) |
| November |
- |
National Day |
| December |
25 |
Christmas |
(Islamic Religious Holidays and Deepawali are announced later)
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